2025 ICD-10-CM code S12.601A

Unspecified nondisplaced fracture of the seventh cervical vertebra, initial encounter for a closed fracture.

Follow official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines. Use additional codes to specify the cause of injury and any foreign body, as needed.

Modifiers are not applicable to ICD-10 codes. Modifiers are used with procedural codes (CPT, HCPCS).

Medical necessity is established by the presence of a clinically significant fracture requiring medical intervention.This may include pain management, immobilization, or surgical intervention to prevent complications.

The clinical responsibility involves diagnosing the fracture through patient history, physical examination, and imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRI). Treatment may include pain management (analgesics, NSAIDs), immobilization (cervical collar), traction, and potentially surgery to stabilize the vertebra and prevent spinal cord damage.

IMPORTANT Additional codes may be necessary to specify the cause of injury (from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity), and any retained foreign body (Z18.-).Other codes within the S12 series might be applicable depending on the specific nature and location of the fracture.

In simple words: This code means a person had a broken bone in their neck (the seventh bone down), but the broken pieces stayed in place and the skin wasn't broken. This is the first time the injury is documented by a doctor.

This ICD-10-CM code signifies an unspecified, nondisplaced fracture of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) during the initial encounter for a closed fracture.The fracture is not displaced, meaning the bone fragments have not moved significantly from their original position, and the skin is not broken (closed fracture).Further specification of the fracture type is not provided.Additional codes may be necessary to indicate the cause of injury (from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity) and any retained foreign body (Z18.-).

Example 1: A patient is involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustains a closed, nondisplaced fracture of the C7 vertebra. This is the initial visit to the emergency department., A patient falls from a significant height, resulting in a closed, nondisplaced fracture of C7.This is the first time they are seen by an orthopedic specialist., A patient sustains a C7 fracture during a sports injury.The initial evaluation in the physician's office reveals a nondisplaced, closed fracture.

Detailed patient history including the mechanism of injury, physical examination findings focusing on neurological status, and imaging reports (X-rays, CT scan, or MRI) are required for accurate coding.

** Always ensure that the documentation supports the chosen code.This code is for the initial encounter; subsequent encounters will require different codes (e.g., S12.601D, S12.601G, S12.601K).

  • Revenue Code: Revenue codes will vary depending on the healthcare setting and payer.
  • RVU: RVUs are not directly associated with ICD-10 codes. Reimbursement is determined by the procedures performed and other factors such as place of service.
  • Global Days : Not applicable to this ICD-10 code. Global days apply to procedural codes, not diagnostic codes.
  • Payment Status: Active
  • Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to this ICD-10 code.
  • Fee Schedule : Not applicable to this ICD-10 code. Fee schedules apply to procedural codes, not diagnostic codes.
  • Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Neurosurgery
  • Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Inpatient Hospital
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